עֻזִּיָּא
Uzzija, an Israelite
Definition
עֻזִּיָּא (Uzzija) is a proper name referring to a single individual in the Old Testament, a warrior listed among King David's mighty men (1 Chronicles 11:44). The name is a variant of the more common עֻזִּיָּה (Uzziah, H5818), which means 'my strength is Yahweh' or 'Yahweh is my strength.' This single biblical occurrence identifies Uzzija as a native of Ashtaroth, a city in the Transjordan region associated with the tribe of Manasseh. As a member of David's elite military force, his inclusion signifies valor and loyalty to the king.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in 1 Chronicles 11:44. It appears in a list of David's mighty men, specifically in a subsection detailing additional warriors beyond the most famous thirty. The context is purely historical and genealogical, serving to memorialize the brave individuals who supported David's kingdom. There are no patterns of usage, as it is a unique personal name for a single, minor figure.
Etymology
The name עֻזִּיָּא (Uzzija) is a shortened or variant form of the more prevalent Hebrew name עֻזִּיָּה (Uzziah, H5818). It derives from the root עזז ('zz), meaning 'to be strong,' combined with a theophoric element, either יָה (Yah), a short form for Yahweh. Thus, the name's core meaning is 'Yahweh is my strength.' The final א (aleph) in Uzzija may reflect a dialectical variation or a different phonetic rendering of the same essential name.
Semantic Range
While the individual Uzzija is not a major theological figure, his name carries significant meaning. As a variant of 'Uzziah,' it embodies a central theme of biblical faith: divine strength as the true source of human power and success. His inclusion among David's mighty men subtly reinforces that the might of Israel's army was understood to be rooted in reliance on God. Understanding the name's meaning ('Yahweh is my strength') enriches the reading of 1 Chronicles 11 by framing even this brief mention within the larger narrative of God empowering His people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often statements of faith or circumstances. A name meaning 'Yahweh is my strength' would be a declaration of the family's devotion and a hope for the child's character. Being listed among David's mighty men was a high honor, denoting exceptional military prowess and social status. The specification of his hometown (Ashtaroth) connects his identity to a specific clan and territory, which was crucial for inheritance and tribal affiliation.
עֻזִּיָּה (ʻUzzîyâh, H5818) — The more common full form of the same name, borne by a king of Judah (2 Kings 15).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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